Dallas Free Press

10/31/2025

AI code enforcement is coming to Dallas. What does it mean for resident privacy?
✍ Jenna Stephenson

A city sanitation vehicle makes its morning pickups on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2025, in West Dallas. The Dallas City Council approved the 2025-2026 fiscal budget that includes $853,000 to equip 50 sanitation vehicles with cameras that use artificial intelligence to identify code

10/30/2025

South Dallas arts leaders plan to engage Dallas ISD schools, community programs
🎥 ✍ Camilo Diaz Jr.

VanAnthony Williams, general manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center, Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum of Dallas and Nijeul X, executive and artistic director of Forest Forward, share what’s ahead for their institutions, from upcoming arts programs to plans for...

10/28/2025

South Dallas arts and culture leaders are making space for students. At (), students have dedicated “DISD Walls” — a gallery space just for them. This clip explores how these arts leaders plan to continue this momentum and engage local students.
Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel or click the Linktree link in our bio.

10/24/2025

Save the date and spread the word: Our Vacanva photo fundraiser returns Nov. 1 and runs through the end of the year! 📸

This campaign gives neighbors the chance to support Dallas Free Press’ work — and receive something in return: a 90-minute portrait session and a 16×20 mounted print (a $482 value!) with a $99 donation through Vacanva!

We’d love your help to make sure our community members know about this fundraiser! Spreading the word helps strengthen our collective effort to make sure every Dallas neighbor has access to trusted news and information — the kind that empowers people to make informed decisions and hold local leaders accountable.

Here’s how you can help:
🤝 Hand out printed Vacanva fundraiser cards or distribute them to popular neighborhood spots
💬 Send digital fundraiser cards to your friends and family via text or email
📣 Repost and share our fundraising posts on your social media

If you’d like to help share cards — digital or printed — please reach out to us! However you choose to share, your participation helps ensure more neighbors are equipped to play an active role in shaping the future of our city. Let's build a stronger, better Dallas, together. 💙

🔗 You can visit the fundraiser page at www.vacanva.com/Dallasfreepress25
💌 You can reach us for cards or questions by messaging our page or by emailing [email protected]

10/22/2025

Video: What South Dallas arts and culture leaders have planned for the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival

VanAnthony Williams, general manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center, Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum of Dallas and Nij...

10/17/2025

With the FIFA Fan Fest coming to Dallas next summer, local arts and culture leaders are thinking big about what this global spotlight could mean for South Dallas.
At our roundtable, Lisa Brown Ross (African American Museum of Dallas) and VanAnthony Williams (South Dallas Cultural Center) shared their visions for how the neighborhood can showcase both local and global history for this once-in-a-generation moment.

10/15/2025

Three newcomers to Dallas recently arrived on the scene at South Dallas’ key arts and cultural institutions. Dallas Free Press invited VanAnthony Williams, general manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center ; Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum of Dallas; and Nijeul X, executive and artistic director of Forest Forward, to talk about their artistic journeys, how their institutions support artists and engage South Dallas, and what’s ahead for next summer’s FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park.

It was the first time all three met in person, and at Williams’ invitation, they gathered at the South Dallas Cultural Center’s black box theater on opening night of the State Fair of Texas.

Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel or click the Linktree link in our bio.
🎥 Camilo Diaz Jr.

10/11/2025

Dallas Free Press invited VanAnthony Williams, general manager of the South Dallas Cultural Center; Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the African American Museum of Dallas; and Nijeul X, executive and artistic director of Forest Forward, to discuss everything from their artistic journeys to how their institutions support artists, engage South Dallas residents and students, and prepare for next summer’s FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park.
Watch the full conversation 👇

Three newcomers to Dallas recently arrived on the scene at South Dallas' key arts and cultural institutions: the African-American Museum, the Forest Theater ...

10/03/2025

Is the long-awaited South Dallas community park in trouble?
✍ David Silva Ramirez

Screenshot of staff presentation Park and Recreation board members questioned the future of South Dallas's long-awaited community park after the city's recent split with Fair Park First. The city's agreement with Fair Park First and Oak View Group to manage

09/29/2025

After 19 years as the City of Dallas' housing director, Cynthia Rogers-Ellickson is retiring in November. Though she rarely gives media interviews, she agreed to meet us at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center to reflect on her life, her upbringing in West Dallas, and her legacy in shaping Dallas’ housing.

We reached out to Rogers-Ellickson specifically because of her West Dallas roots. After covering the programs she oversees from neighbors’ perspectives, we wanted to hear from a neighborhood native about how her background has impacted her approach to this work for the last two decades.

Read the Q&A and watch the interview here: https://dallasfreepress.com/west-dallas/dallas-housing-cynthia-rogers-ellickson/

📝 Jennie Trejo 🎥 Camilo Diaz Jr.

09/26/2025

West Dallas native, current resident and community pastor James Armstrong is leaving the nonprofit Builders of Hope Community Development Corporation, which he has helmed for nearly eight years, to lead the City of Dallas Housing and Homeless division as deputy director.

"Eight years ago, I noticed many broken walls in my community of West Dallas and felt compelled to act," Armstrong said in Builders of Hope's announcement.

He starts the new job Oct. 15, and the Builders of Hope board has named an interim successor. Go to the comments for their and the City's official announcements.

A new chapter begins at Builders of Hope CDC.
After nearly 8 years of transformative leadership, our President and CEO James Armstrong will step down this October to take on a senior housing leadership role with the City of Dallas.

We are proud to celebrate James' legacy:

- $25M in housing development
- $3M in equity for families, and
- a movement rooted in community.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to announce that Christopher Lewis will serve as Interim President and CEO starting October 15. Chris, a Navy veteran and longtime Dallas leader, has helped grow our housing pipeline and advance our mission with integrity, care, and impact.

Chris will be supported by our Chief of Community Development & Policy Stephanie Champion and our strong board leadership to ensure Builders of Hope remains mission-driven, community-first, and ready for what’s next.

Read the full update and explore what’s ahead: https://www.bohcdc.com/blog/builders-of-hope-cdc-announces-ceo-transition-names-interim-leadership